Daily Downshift: August 7, 2009

+ We drive the 2010 Cadillac SRX 2.8T. [Car and Driver] + Senate gives the green flag for another $2 billion dollars in Cash for Clunkers rebates. [Car and Driver] + Jay Leno reveals that his new show will pit celebrity guests against one another in what is being called the “Green Car Challenge.” [Car and […]

+ Senate gives the green flag for another $2 billion dollars in Cash for Clunkers rebates. [Car and Driver]

+ Jay Leno reveals that his new show will pit celebrity guests against one another in what is being called the “Green Car Challenge.” [Car and Driver]

+ Mark Gillies brings us up to speed on events in the Indy Racing League. [Car and Driver]

+ Audi is offering a $1000 incentive to go along with the federal Cash for Clunkers rebates. [Car and Driver]

+ We spent some time with Mitsubishi’s new hatchback, the Lancer Sportback Ralliart. The Lancer Sportback will begin rolling into dealerships early next month. [Car and Driver]

+ Pricing on the aforementioned Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback has been released from the manufacturer. [Car and Driver]

+ Honda will begin importing the European two-door Civic Type R to Japan in limited numbers as the Type R EURO. [Car and Driver]

+ Porsche will give its new 911 Turbo an introduction next month at the Frankfurt auto show, but today the automaker released official images and details on the more powerful model. [Car and Driver]

+ The U.S. Border Patrol is considering purchasing ten 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptors to help support its efforts. The interiors will be dumbed down to work-truck-level trim, and there is no word on whether or not the Feds will wait for the 6.2-liter V-8 slated for the Raptor next year. [PickupTrucks.com]

+ An ad from General Motors in which the number 230 is presented above 8-11, the date of automaker’s upcoming press conference, is leaving many a bit curious on what the number represents. The “0” in 230 is represented by an electrical outlet, leading us to believe the number has something to do with one of GM’s upcoming plug-in vehicles. [AdAge]

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

+ President Obama has signed the $2.2 billion “Cash for Clunkers” (CARS) extension bill just in time. The initial allotment of $1 billion in June has generated over $1 billion in federal rebates and 245,384 requests have been submitted for reimbursement as of 9:30 a.m. this morning. [Automotive News]

+ Experts say DUI arrests among women are rapidly rising while falling among men. Chris Cochran of the California Office of Traffic Safety said, “Younger women feel more empowered, more equal to men, and have been beginning to exhibit the same uninhibited behaviors as men.” Other possible reasons could be women seeing greater pressure at work and home and that police are now less likely to excuse women for the offense than before. [Associated Press]

+ Previously reported to be the Vision EfficientDynamics concept headed to the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW has pronounced the cloaked car a five-year-old design study being transported into storage. [iMotor]

+ White House environmental policy aide Jody Freeman says the proposed regulation that would require a fleet-wide average of 35.5 mpg by 2016 is on schedule. “We’re on track. I think the agencies are making sure that they’ve fully gone through the process.” [The Detroit News]

+ Car Magazine speculates on Audi’s Project Anniversario, the company’s modern-day take on the original Ur Quattro. Originally expected to be introduced at Audi’s centennial anniversary last month, it could instead be seen in late 2010 for the Quattro’s 30th anniversary. Audi is said to be ready to put the car into production as soon as a business case can be made. [Car]